Ghana star Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has urged the current Under-20 squad not to be intimidated by the heroics of the 2009 squad ahead of the 2015 Africa Youth Championship.
The Black Satellites are back in the midst to challenge for another title on the continent ahead of the championship in Senegal this month.
The Ghanaians face an ardous task of emulating the feat chalked by the 2009 squad when they start the journey against Zambia, Mali and Zambia.
Badu, who plays for Italian side Udinese, was a member of the squad who won the African and world titles seven years ago.
The Black Stars enforcer has urged the team to fight on their own merit and not get frightened by the feat of their predecessors.
“I must commend the entire team for reaching this far. As past champions, any country that will face you will lift their game, but if you remain focused, I believe you can make it,” he said.
“It will be a tough journey, but playing under a coach like Borbor (Sellas Tetteh) and teamwork, I believe the team will succeed. Our past record should motivate them to win in Senegal and do the same at the World stage as well.
“Don’t let our past record get so much into your heads. Rather, be determined to go beyond what we did by sweeping all the individual awards.”
Coach Sellas Tetteh was in charge when the Black Satellites conquered the world in 2009 and will be aiming for another trophy in his cabinet.